Cooking
What is the difference between stock and broth?
credit: lil miss priss/cc by-nc-nd 2.0Q: I would very much appreciate knowing what you consider the difference between stock and broth. Many thanks. –HelenA: While they are both used as a base for soup, sauce, and gravy, and both involve boiling meat and/or bon...
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Why Is There So Much Sodium In My Diet?
In ancient times, salt was precious. Roman soldiers were given a handful every day and later were even given money to buy their own salt. Greeks also used salt as currency. This was referred to as salarium argentum meaning salt money. In fact, the word salary is derived ...
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Are any cooking oils genetically modified?
Q: Are any cooking oils genetically modified? -LeslieA: Yes, cottonseed oil, soybean oil, corn oil, and canola oil are derived from genetically modified plants. Currently the U.S. Department of Agriculture and FDA does not require GMOs (genetically modified organism...
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How can I save money in my pantry?
Q: I throw away a lot of dried goods that sit in my cupboards for ages. How can I save money and make sure I use up what I buy?A: Purchase dry groceries in bulk. They’re less expensive (you don’t pay for packaging) and you can buy only the amount that you need. Whole food...
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Is there a tasty way to steam greens?
Q: I’ve heard that steamed greens are very healthy, but the idea doesn’t appeal to me. Is there a taste bud-friendly way to prepare them?A: Steaming is the healthiest way to cook vegetables. Greens cook in only two to ten minutes and can be delicious. Drizzle ligh...
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What is a tasty and good salt substitute?
Q: What is a tasty and good salt substitute? A: There's a great product called "HealthESalt" which has 1/2 the sodium of regular salt. If you can't find it, you can use seaweed flakes (Maine Coast Sea Seasonings is a great brand). They cost less than $5, have...
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Should I soak grains before cooking them?
Q. I heard I should soak grains before cooking them, like i would do with beans. Is this true? - Marlene A: Yes, our ancestors (and maybe even our grandparents) soaked or fermented their grains before making them into meals (like bread and porridge). Grains contain natural ingre...
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Is milk the best source of calcium?
Q. What are your thoughts on the body's ability to use the calcium in milk? Is milk the best source of calcium? What other foods come close in providing calcium in our daily food? - Uche A: The benefits of cow's milk to the human body are questionable as many of us ca...
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Does the “soybean” contain "complete" proteins?
Q. Does the “soybean” (and hence products like soy milk) contain all the essential amino acids, thereby making it a "complete" protein? - Judy A: This question has been debated for years. Though the humble soybean does contain all 20+ amino acids and is therefore consi...
Read more... Is there a difference between grades of olive oil?
Q. Is there a difference between grades of olive oil? A: You really do get what you pay for with olive oil. Olive oil labeled extra-virgin indicates that the olives were pressed only once, extracting the richest flavors and including, what the industry calls, the “miscellaneous”...
Read more...Sushi Ingredients
Q. Sushi is my favorite type of food. In a common California roll cream cheese and imitation crab meat are ingredients. Are there alternatives for these 2 ingredients? -Kirstin A: Unfortunately many commercially-bought sushi rolls contain ingredients that don't need to be t...
Read more...About bean nutrition
Q. I have a question about beans. I love beans - black beans, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, you name it. I love bean salad, bean soup, chili... I could go on forever. My question is regarding the nutritional content of beans. I know they're loaded with good stuff, but does i...
Read more...A tasty gluten, corn, dairy and sugar free pancake?
Q. In trying to replicate a gluten free, corn free, dairy free and sugar free pancake mix, I made a batch that 'worked', but have burped all day since eating the pancakes. Do you have a good recipe? - Maria A: The easiest answer is as close as your local supermarket – ...
Read more...Pot versus pearl barley
Q. What’s the difference between pot barley and pearl barley? - MB A: Pot barley is the unrefined, whole grain. Pearling removes the barley’s bran covering. Pearled barley is easier to cook but has less fiber and fewer nutrients than pot barley.
Read more...How can I reduce the fat in my baking?
Q. How can I reduce the fat in my baking? - Millie A: All baked goods that call for butter or oil - cookies, cakes, muffins, bread, and even pizza dough can be made fat-free. Directly substitute a fruit purée like unsweetened applesauce or mashed banana for the fat. If the recip...
Read more...Which oil is best for deep frying?
Q. Which oil is best for deep frying? If polyunsaturated fat is unstable at high temp then grapeseed oil should not be used even though it's smoke point is very high. Also, in "Fats" article on your website it is mentioned that even monounsaturated fats should not ...
Read more...Cooking omega-3's and other EFAs
Q. Are omega-3's and other EFAs destroyed through cooking? A: Fish prepared by baking, poaching, broiling, stir-frying, grilling, sautéing, and steaming do not cause significant reduction or damage to omega-3 fatty acids. Deep frying, however, due to extremely high temperat...
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